Merchandise display apparatus



y 1933- N. ROSENBLATT 1,911,467

MERCHANDISE DISPLAY APPARATUS I Filed Nov. 12, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.1.

flr TORNE- V May 30, 1933. N. ROSENBLATT 1,911,467

MERCHANDISE DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z4 /2 I Z2 2.2. zz v m Z 22 Z4 I 4 Patented May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES NATHAN ROSENBLATT, on

PATENT OFFICE TAMPA, FLORIDA; ASSiGNOR To NATIONAL SERVICE coa- PORATION, F TAMPA, FLORIDA a 1 MERCHA DISE nisPLAY ArPARATUs- 7 Application filed November 12,1936. Serial Nb. 495,264.

My invention relates to improvements in store furniture and has particular reference to a novel display counter.

Briefly stated, the invention has for its primary object to provide a display counter which is particularly adapted for self service stores, in that the entire merchandise display is disposed within'easy reachv and clear view of even the shortest shoppers,

10 thus making it possible to eliminate shelv- 1 further object of the invention is to provide a counter type display unit, as substitute for store shelving, which incorpoi-ates a readily accessible reserve stock storage'space in combination with a display. surface (or surfaces) soarranged that inventory of the display and reserve stock 7 may be taken from the same side of the counter; the display surfaces, when usedin multiple, being below theeye of the pur chaser and so arranged'that' theentire display area of each will be disclosed to view,

a and this Without necessitating any head movement on the partofthecustomer;

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device for the purpose specified which incorporates 'a' novel price tag holding means. 7 i p 7 Still another objectof the invention is to provide in connection with an inclined display shelf of a display counter, a novel merchandise supporting means, which may com pjrehend a primary stop formed in (or upon) said shelf adjacent its 'lower edge with a secondary merchandise support and price tag carrying means secu'red'to and rising from the frontalor lower-edge of the shelf. p i I p The invention also resides in'certaln novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of the various parts, and in modes of use. The foregoing and other objects of the invention will be readily accomplished by the now preferred example of my inventive concept which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. j a

It is to be understood, however, that the drawings referred to, andthe detailed description to follow, are to be taken as illustrative rather than limitative,and that I reserve the right to make such changes and modifications in my mechanical.expressioiis of'jthe invention as fairly fallwithin the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed hereinafter; l v

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts in allviews,

Figure 1 is a perspective viewillustrating a display counter embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is across sectional view through duplicate units; I v Figure 3 isa fragmentary cross-sectional View drawn to enlarged scale and showing a slight modification in the support of the merchandise at the lower edge of the major shelf; and p Figure 4 is a detail perspective View, partly in section, of the combined merchandise and price tag support of Figures 1 and 2.

Referringspecifically to the drawings, by

reference characters, the counter comprehends a. frame-including frontal, intermediate, andrear vertical'supports 4, '5, 6, respectively, arrangedin lineal series'and pro viding the supporting feet 4a, 5a, and 6a, respectively; The end supports of each series carry the end wall 4b.

' Coiinecting'the vertical supports or posts 4,5, 6 transversely of the frame are the upper :ind lower cross members 7, 8. The'upper'cross members '8 are angular, as shown, so as to support the fwideoutersloping shelf 9 and the relatively narrow rear shelflO.

From an inspection of Figure 1 it will be readily apparentthat theouter or forwardlysloping shelf 9 enables a. wide variety of articles to beatt'ractively displayed in prone position sothat the reading matter on the labels will be disposed for ready examination'by the customer. Also, it is noted: that corresponding articles may bearranged in standing position upon shelf 10, the entire area ofbothof shelves 9, 10 being below. the eye ofthe customer and fully exposed to view lwith their contents 'within' easy reach without necessitating the raising of the arm. abovethe shoulder; p f

" A panel board 11' conceals the supporting feet 4a, 50;, 6a, at the front and sides as when the units are arranged back to back shown in Figure 1, while at the ends of shelves 9, 10 and at the lower edge of shelf 9 rim panels 12 are shown. These serve to confine the goods on the shelves without substantially interfering with the display, since it will "be observed that such" rini panels 12 are of relatively short height. I

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the novel storage chamber 15 for reserve stock, located below shelf 9 and provided by the horizontal shelf 1et,-which is secured upon frame cross members 7 between verticalmernber's 4:, 5,- in combination with the wall member 13 secured to the vertical members 5 between cross members 7, 8. r 1

It is very important to observe that the storage chamber 15 is continuous through out the length of the frame, and alsothat the shelf 14 and rear .wall 18 thereof serve to rigidify the structure of the frame through connection of the posts 5. V

The fact should not escape, that every lineal element ofthe frame, namely 11, 12, 14, and 13 has an important merchandising function,which in the case of the lower panel 11 is to prevent merchandise from rolling under the counter fromthe front. 7 The functions of the other members hav been stated. r

At this point attention is invited to Figure I 3 wherein the invention is shown modified to the extent that a cutout 16 isprovided between the end of the shelf 9aand the merchandise-confiningrim panel 12. This cut.- out 16 furnishes aseatfor a glass panel 17, which is adapted to extend well above .the top of the rim ,12 so as to-enable a larger quantity of goods to be displayed. S 1nce lass- 17 is transparent the display will 1n no wise be concealed. H

In addition to the display shelves 9, already referred to, I preferably provide the elevated shelf extending the full length of the counter unit and supported upon upright posts which nay be, and preferably are, extensions of the rear posts 6 of the frame. Forwardly extending braces 19 are carried by the posts 18 and disposed beneathshelf 20. It is also noted that shelf 20 is provided with an outer rim 2]. for confining the goods. V

In connection with the shelf 20, it is significant to note that there is no rim 21 at the rear edge thereof. The reason for this omission isthat in actual practice the counter unit will either be arranged back to a wall or two counter units will be disposed back to back as illustrated in Figure 2.

In Figure 2 it will be evident that the display on shelves 10, 10 and 20, 20 may be continuous vin a transverse direction without regard for the craclrbetween the two units. Also, since the storage chambersv 15 are at the front access may be readily had thereto as in Figure 2.

Since my novel unit is primarily adapted for self service merchandlsing, it is of primary importance that the prices of the various articles on display beprominently displayed. With this in mind, I provide the frontal rim panel 12 with a relatively narrow and intermediately positioned tag confining bar 22. The'back of'this bar 22 is beveled from its central portion toward each edge as indicated at 22a so as to provide a wedge shaped space for the reception of the price tags 24 at both edges of the bar 22 and between the same and the rim panel 12. The tag bar. 22 is secured to the rim panel 12 by means of the screws or other fasteners 28 shown in F igure 1. i

In the case of canned goods, a further support therefor is shown in Figure 2, wherein each unit there shown is formed with a lip 30 at the loweredge of its shelf 10 to engage the lateral fiangeof the conventional metal can universally used for vegetables. and the li re.

An inspection of Figure 1 will give a vivid conception of the ease with which customers may shop-with the entire areaof all shelves exposed to View and Well below the eye of even the shortest of them. All articles are within ready reach as has been heretofore pointed out. By the same token the taking'of an inventory is a simple matter inasmuch as the storage chamber is exposed to view and the articles 25, 26, 28, 27 of the chamber 15"and the respective shelves may be grouped in approximately the same lineal area of the counter. a

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A merchandise display unit comprising a coiunterlike frame having a frontally and downwardly sloping shelf providing a display surface occupying the major portion ofsaid frame at the top thereof, a second shelf providing a display surface rearwardly of said first shelf and being disposed in a horizontal plane at approximately the'level of the rear portion of said first Shelf, said frame including vertical posts-providing legs and certain of the legs at the rear of said frame extending above said last inentioned shelf, and a third shelf carried by the upper ends of said legs at the rear of said frame and disposedabove said second mentioned shelf, and said third shelf havingan third mentioned display shelves of said units. a I

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

NATHAN ROSENBLAIT. 

